The sudden impact jolts you forward, the sickening crunch of metal on metal filling your ears. In the chaotic days that follow a serious car accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. As the medical bills pile up and you're forced to miss work, you hope that the insurance company will do the right thing and cover your losses.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side after a crash. They are focused on protecting their bottom line, which often means using sneaky tactics to minimize payouts to deserving accident victims. Pete Olson, an experienced Clarksville accident attorney, believes that knowledge is power when dealing with insurance adjusters. He's here to expose the tricks that insurance companies use and help you fight for the full compensation you deserve.
The Quick Settlement Offer
One of the most common tactics used by insurance companies is the quick settlement offer. Shortly after your accident, an adjuster may contact you with an offer to settle your claim for a lump sum. They'll pressure you to accept the offer on the spot, claiming it's the best deal you'll get.
What they don't tell you is that accepting a settlement offer closes your claim forever. If your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially thought or you need additional medical treatment, you'll be out of luck. That's why it's crucial to have any settlement offer reviewed by a knowledgeable Clarksville personal injury attorney before accepting.
A skilled lawyer will evaluate your case to determine the full extent of your losses, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity. They'll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to secure a settlement that truly reflects what your case is worth.
The Recorded Statement Request
After an accident, the insurance adjuster may ask you to provide a recorded statement about what happened. They'll phrase it as a routine part of the claims process, assuring you that they just need to get your side of the story.
In reality, the adjuster is hoping to use your own words against you later. They may ask leading questions designed to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. Even innocent statements like "I'm sorry" or "I'm feeling okay" can be twisted and used to deny or minimize your claim.
The best way to protect yourself is to politely decline to give a recorded statement. Instead, refer the adjuster to your Clarksville accident attorney. Your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, making sure that your rights are protected at every step.
The Policy Limitations Discussion
When you start discussing settlement numbers, the adjuster may tell you that your claim is limited by the at-fault driver's policy limits. For example, if the other driver only had $25,000 in liability coverage, the adjuster may say that's the most they can pay you.
What they don't mention is that you may have other options for seeking compensation. If your losses exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, you may be able to turn to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You might also have grounds for a third-party claim if another entity, like a vehicle manufacturer or government agency, contributed to your crash.
An experienced Clarksville personal injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate your accident to identify all potential sources of compensation. They'll leave no stone unturned in the fight for every dollar you deserve for your injuries and losses.
The Shifting Blame Game
Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this law, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you can't recover anything at all.
Insurance companies are well aware of this rule, and they'll use it to their advantage. They may try to shift blame for the accident onto you, even if you did nothing wrong. The adjuster may claim that you were speeding, distracted, or otherwise contributed to the crash.
To combat these arguments, you'll need strong evidence in your favor. A skilled Clarksville accident attorney will gather evidence to show what really happened, like:
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Vehicle damage photos
- Surveillance footage
- Cellphone records
- Event data recorder (EDR) information (i.e., black box data)
They'll build a case to demonstrate the other party was at fault and fight back against any attempts to unfairly blame you for the crash.
The Stalling Tactic
Insurance companies know that most people can't afford to wait months or years for a settlement. They'll use this to their advantage by dragging out the claims process, hoping that financial pressure will force you to accept a lowball offer.
The adjuster may take weeks to respond to your calls or emails. They may request endless documentation and records, sending you on a frustrating paper chase. In some cases, they may even deny your claim outright, forcing you to jump through hoops to appeal the decision.
The best way to keep your claim on track is to have a knowledgeable Clarksville personal injury lawyer on your side. Your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company and make sure your claim keeps moving forward. If the insurance company drags their feet or acts in bad faith, your lawyer will be ready to escalate matters and hold them accountable.
Knowledge Is Power
Insurance companies have plenty of tricks up their sleeves when it comes to minimizing payouts to accident victims. From quick lowball offers to stall tactics and shifting blame, these strategies are designed to limit what they have to pay for even the most deserving claims.
However, you can fight back by educating yourself about the insurance company's tactics and having a strong advocate on your side. An experienced Clarksville accident lawyer will be familiar with all the strategies adjusters use to avoid paying claims. Your attorney can guide you through the process, help you avoid critical mistakes, and build a strong case to seek the full and fair compensation you deserve.
At Pete Olson Injury Attorneys, we believe that the most rewarding aspect of practicing law is using our knowledge and experience to help people who are hurting because of no fault of their own. With nearly 30 years of experience, we've successfully resolved thousands of cases and achieved multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients throughout Tennessee.
When you're dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial stress of a serious car accident, the last thing you need is an insurance company giving you the runaround. By arming yourself with information and having a skilled Clarksville personal injury attorney in your corner, you can level the playing field and fight for the justice you deserve.